On This Rock

On This Rock

6"x6"

Oil and cold wax

Some years ago when I just came in to believing the absolutely everything in the Bible was for me, we traveled to Saint Maarten for a diving vacation. A nice walk along the beach from our resort to these rocks was my hiding place for that week. I would go there morning and evening and I would take my bible and I would read and I would pray. I would watch the water as it hit the rocks and the foam and the waves would just crash and white foamy water would splash above me. Across the water in the distance I could see Saint John. I always wanted to take that little excursion over there, but it seemed pretty costly to go that short distance. But I think about what Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my church".  That was ringing through my ears as I was painting the scene. I love this painting, maybe just because it has an emotional connection with me. This one is number 14 of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

 

Storm Approaching

"Storm Approaching"

Alcohol Ink on Tile

6"x6"

NFS

     Three more days to go in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again...It's been so much fun, and I hate to see it come to an end.  However, I will be glad to breathe if I need to.  I'm not one to live on challenges, but if I commit to it, I will see it through to the end, no matter what. I hope to continue daily painting, but to also add in my quiet time prior to painting.  I hope I can coordinate the two with the time I have.  So many times, other things get in the way of having that kind of a chunk of time.  

     I just booked our diving trips for 2016.  I guess I had the ocean on my mind. 

Jer. 5:22 says, "Do you not fear Me?' declares the LORD 'Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it." 

      Every time I get to depth, I can't help but sing, "How Great Thou Art"; through my mask of coarse.  God's underground creation is just as amazing as His above ground.  I often look out over the sea as we skirt the waters in our "fast boat" and think about Peter.  It's easy to criticize him when you're in the boat.  But what about when you are in the water or the storm?  What then?  

"Sail Away"

"Sail Away"

16x20 Watercolor on Arches Paper

Purchase this Painting

          Have you ever wanted to just sail away?  I sure have.  I've kind of wanted to do it this summer.  It's been a challenge.  It's been good, now that most of it is behind me.  Have you ever looked back and wished that you would have just sailed through the hard times instead of getting stuck in them?  That's me!  Hind sight is always better, isn't it?  When I was so tired...I wish I would have just "sahhhhed".  But, still the journey was all in all good.  Memories were made, and things ran pretty smoothly, other than an emergency room visit, and fast doctor visit, a few fowl words grumbled back and forth with my beloved in the stress of the moment.  I might not want to ever do it the same way, but I wouldn't give up the cherished moments.  The ones like a grandson sneaking into my room in the late night, dragging his bedding to sleep beside me on the floor...reaching up to grab my hand and hold it.  Or, the late night prayers.  I cherish the KP duty...where most of my grandchildren participated in a hurried dance of washing, drying and putting away of the dishes.  The early morning walks with the dogs were fun, and so were the one on one, hand in hand walks with a grandson; as we "snuck" away from the bunch.  All the questions about God, and the early morning devotions and prayer.  My goodness I could just relive all of those.   The cakes that were baked...the literal hours that it took to get the recipe read, and the batter in the oven.  Oh my.  Learning to sweep the floor correctly....and how to dust furniture with missing a spot...right down to emptying all of the trashes correctly...make the beds...cook Ramen... I sure hope that my babies always remember the memories that we made, and not the frustrations that we had.  I bet they will!  I know I sure will.  I am blessed beyond measure!  There is always time to "Sail away", and never enough time to enjoy your family!

Red Bay in Progress

In Progress

Red Bay

Acrylic on Canvas

     I almost didn't make it!  This is number 20 of the 30 in 30, and posting a day late due to schedules.  I'm painting intuitively, and having fun doing it.  There is this beautiful place on the Island of St. Maartin, on the French side...called Red Bay.It's a great snorkel area if you can manage to tromp through the knee deep sand to get to the water.  There are lots of red bluffs and red rocks right up on the beach, so you get lots of wave movement.  On the other side of that bluff on the right is an oasis for adventurous types like us.  We floated our cooler over there and had the whole place to ourselves. There are beautiful swim throughs and places to get out of the waves.  We had plenty of "mermaid" encounters on the way over to the other side, I might add.  Let's just say that their beach attire is vastly different than ours.    I'll keep you updated with progress pics.  

Too many Dives

I just finished this large 16x20" watercolor of my sweet, but so tired husband. We'd just finished a series of 4 dives daily for 5 consecutive dives in the beautiful waters of Key Largo, Fl. this was a wonderful diving vacation that we enjoyed with two of our children. Our son, Bradley works as a dive instructor for Rainbow Reef, which is an awesome dive operation in Key Largo. He's a great dive master, showing us all kinds of sea life including Bull sharks, sting rays, and the normal cool stuff. Our daughter, Paula added so many laughs to our trip and we agreed that this had to be our best all time vacation.

This piece is spoken for. I'm counting on the income for Mission Uganda.